Bulgarian welded pipe market remains quiet

The Bulgarian welded pipe market has not witnessed significant changes in the past two weeks. End-user demand both in the domestic and export markets is still weak, and buyers are waiting for welded pipe prices to decrease further. Meanwhile, Bulgarian pipe makers are keeping their prices at the previous level amid stable quotations of flat steel from CIS.
 
Market players are not very confident as regards the prospects for the future market and the Bulgarian welded pipe market is expected to be characterized by sluggishness in the coming period.
 
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade hot rolled coil (HRC) according to EN 10219 are being given to the Bulgarian domestic market at around €560-565/mt ($724-731/mt) ex-works, exclusive of 20 percent VAT and on theoretical weight basis.
 
Export quotations of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are at the level of €500-520/mt ($647-672/mt) ex-works on theoretical weight basis for September-October production. Offers of similar Bulgarian pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from HRC as per EN 10219 are at around €530-550/mt ($685-711/mt) ex-works for September-October rolling. Export quotations of Bulgarian water and gas pipes according to EN 10255 are at €520-540/mt ($672-698/mt) ex-works.
 
€1 = $1.293